Associated Press file photoA gift card kiosk is shown at a supermarket in this file photo. The state Senate Budget Committee passed a bill today repealing a 2010 law that allowed the state to claim the value of of unused gift cards as revenue.

The state Senate Budget Committee passed a bill Thursday that would repeal a 2010 law that allowed the state to claim the value of of unused gift cards as revenue. Two years ago lawmakers agreed to include gift cards as part of the unclaimed property law, which means the state claim cards that go unused for two years. The law sparked a law suit from retailers and at least three major companies to pull their cards from shelves to avoid dealing with burdensome regulations.

Good riddance to that law. After a business sells the gift card that should be the end of it. The state taking unclaimed gift card money is just another variation of a "user fee" on businesses. Politicians crow about no new taxes and then they turn around and twist themselves into pretzels to squeeze money out of the little guy and businesses. I thought this administration was business friendly.